It had been more than a month, since Dec. 15 to be precise that the Rochester Lancers celebrated after the final horn. But it finally happened on Friday night in Wichita, where the Lancers broke open a one-point game at halftime to win 19-10 and end their franchise-worst six-game losing streak. Forward Mauricio Salles had a pair of goals in a five-point night to lead the team and Doug Miller also scored to take back the MISL scoring lead, but new defender Evan McNeley and defender Stephen Basso also connected from 3-point range for big goals. The win moved Rochester out of last place and into a tie for fifth. At 6-10, they are just a half-game out of the fourth and final playoff spot held by Wichita (6-9) and just a game out of third place, which is where they visit tonight at 8:35 at Missouri (7-9). You can hear it live on WKFL 93.3 FM or watch it live at www.misllive.com. McNeley, who arrived this week from defending MISL champion Milwaukee, will be one of our guests on Kick This! The Soccer Sam Show at 11 a.m. on WHTK AM 1280. You can listen live online at www.whtk.com or later in the day hear a replay at www.kickthis.com.

DRAFT RECAP: Here’s a link to my National Women’s Soccer League Draft recap for the Flash. We expect to have WNY coach Aaran Lines on Kick This! today too to discuss the team’s four picks – Arianna Franch, Amy Barczuk, Vicki DiMartino and Jackie Logue – as well as the compensation of only $24,000 for the allocation shortfall granted to WNY. Again, you can hear this interview later today at www.kickthis.com.

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Jeff DiVeronica has covered professional soccer and the Rhinos for the Democrat and Chronicle since the team's inception in 1996. "Devo's Direct Kicks" takes aim mostly at Rochester soccer, but will also highlight the USL, MLS and U.S. national team play. Devo, his nickname since college at St. John Fisher, also hosts two weekly radio shows each Saturday on WHTK-AM/FM (1280/107.3 or www.whtk.com). "Kick This!" (11 a.m.) features soccer talk, while the Canandaigua National Bank High School Sports Show (noon) covers Section V sports. E-mail Jeff at jdiveron@DemocratandChronicle.com.
Or follow him on Twitter: @RocDevo